As the mA is increased, what happens to the x-ray output?

Increasing the milliampere (mA) setting directly affects the quantity of x-ray photons produced during an exposure. The mA setting serves as a measure of the tube current, which is the flow of electricity through the x-ray tube. When the mA is increased, more electrons are available to be accelerated across the tube and subsequently converted into x-ray photons upon striking the target. This results in a greater number of x-ray photons being produced, thereby increasing the overall output of x-rays.

This relationship is crucial for radiologic procedures, as adjusting the mA can help optimize image quality while ensuring adequate exposure to the patient's tissues. Consequently, when the mA is increased, the output of x-rays increases proportionally, making this the accurate choice in the context of how the x-ray output responds to changes in the mA setting.